A patient who is excessively worried about acquiring an illness and frequently seeks medical attention for at least 6 months is likely suffering from?

The correct answer is hypochondriasis, now more commonly referred to as illness anxiety disorder in the most recent diagnostic criteria. This condition is characterized by an intense preoccupation with the fear of having or acquiring a serious illness, despite a lack of significant somatic symptoms. Individuals with this disorder often seek medical attention repeatedly due to their anxiety and worry regarding their health, emphasizing their concern over any bodily sensations they may experience. The duration of symptoms lasting at least 6 months is consistent with the diagnostic criteria, further supporting the diagnosis of this disorder.

In contrast, conversion disorder involves neurological symptoms that cannot be explained by medical evaluation, such as paralysis or seizures, typically linked to psychological stressors rather than a fear of illness itself. Somatization disorder, now part of somatic symptom disorder, encompasses a pattern of multiple physical complaints that are not explained by medical conditions, with a focus more on the presentation of symptoms rather than anxiety about illness. Body dysmorphic disorder refers to excessive focus on perceived flaws in physical appearance, which doesn't align with the primary concern of acquiring an illness. Therefore, the symptoms and behaviors outlined in the question align most closely with hypochondriasis.